I am sitting here with a pre-release copy of Jamie Oliver’s latest entry in the world of cookbooks in my hot sweaty mitts. It is called Jamie’s 30 MINUTE MEALS. I received this courtesy of Yuppiechef (those guys with the fabulous range of kitchen goodies and the great sense of humor). Last week Paul phoned to ask if I would be interested in reviewing the book along with 9 other folk and of course I said it would be my pleasure to do so. Thank you Paul and the Yuppiechef gang for thinking of me!!

Early Monday morning the doorbell goes and when I answer the phone this is what I hear: “Erm, morning lady, I have a delivery here for someone called….hehehe…..*clears throat*…..Collywolly”? Oh SURE says I…..do come on in its the first house as you come through the main gate. The guy laughed about the name on my package the whole time he was here. He did tell me I could sign my proper name on the delivery slip though! Thanx Yuppsters! You made my Monday ROCK! I am always so thrilled by the packaging and the personal details in the Yuppiechef parcels. A handwritten note always accompanies whats inside and they include a cute fridge button. Lovely stuff. Do visit their online store and browse through their products….but BE WARNED!!! You will be sucked into an amazing world and stay there for hours. So do it when you have the time :o) And if you want to win one of these fabulous books for yourself hurry right now to visit their newsletter Spatula Magazine

JAMIE'S 30 MINUTE MEALS

I already have a couple of the magnets on my fridge…..

Fridge Magnets

Needless to say I have not been able to put this book down since I received it. It really is a “revolutionary approach to cooking good food fast” and I am looking forward to coming back and telling you all about my experience of cooking a meal from it. Here is something to whet your appetite…..can’t give too much away you know?

All this in 30 MINUTES?? I will be back to let you know :o)

In the meanwhile I am off to attend the funeral of my uncle, the patriarch of our family, a bit later today. It’s been a sad time. He has pretty much been “dad” to me as my father, his brother, died suddenly at the tender age of 36 (when I was 3 years old). Uncle Alf lived to the grand old age of 92 years and passed away on Friday evening last week. A man with a rich history and a wonderful sense of humor, with great love for his family, he will be sorely missed. Here is a rather grainy photo of him walking me down the aisle on my wedding day 32 years ago…….

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and child of God. I am passionate about all aspects of food, reading about it, writing about it, cooking/baking and eating it, photographing it. I share my knowledge gained over the years from personal experience and knowledge gained from my food heroes on my blog www.browniegirlblog.com

Thanx so much Cindy. It was sad but at last its over…got to get on with the job of living now. He was such an interesting and wonderful man. Decorated bomber pilot, magistrate in the old Transkei…et al. Led a great life.
This is an interesting book. See my comment to Supa above. Looking forward to trying the recipes. xx

HAHA! Live mice……..I bet he wondered if you have a python that needs feeding…. 🙂 Thanx for the commiserations. And I am enjoying the Jamie book. Its very different to “regular” cook books.. Good luck with the kitchen renovations xx

Love ur blog! I have just cooked the first meal from this book- chicken satay and it was fab! I did feel a bit overwhelmed by the speed at which I was expected to do it tho in order to make it all in 30 mins- my cooking style is clearly not like jamies . Oh -and the kitchen looked like a war zone by the time I had finished! So, my verdict – brill but double the timings!

Thank you so much Pixiebelle and welcome to my humble blog. So glad you are enjoying it. I aim to please 🙂 So interested in what you had to say there about the Jamie book. I experienced the same. Had a laugh when I came in here now to answer comments and saw yours. I managed just on 50 minutes but agree….the kitchen was a war zone! My 2 legged 2 armed dishwasher’s (aka hubby) eyes nearly popped out when he walked in there LOL!